Providing geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users

Abstract

Embodiments herein provide geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users. Specifically, a collaboration tool is configured to receive, from a social media application, an indication of a geolocation of a first user, as well as information about an availability of the first user. A second user is notified about the geolocation of the first user and the availability of the first user, which is used to generate a collaborative meeting event for the first user and the second user according to the geolocation of the first user, the availability of the first user, an availability of the second user, and a location of the second user. The second user is automatically notified about the collaborative meeting event, which may be automatically scheduled in a calendar application. As such, the collaboration tool unifies user geolocation and availability information in order to connect interested users with one another in a mutually beneficial way.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to location-based meeting collaboration and, more specifically, to providing geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]In the business and sales world, buyers, sellers, co-workers, etc., schedule meetings to discuss business matters. In-person, face-to-face meetings offer the advantages of direct, personal interaction among meeting participants. Online meetings can allow participants to share documents on individual computer screens, and are especially useful for meetings among participants in diverse locations.[0005]However, it can be difficult for collaborators to opportunistically plan meetings with other collaborators. For salespersons, finding new clients and scheduling time with existing ones is difficult. Often, scheduling conflicts or a lack of knowledge and communication about a client's schedule and / or location are barriers to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In general, embodiments herein provide geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users. Specifically, a collaboration tool is configured to receive, from a social media application, an indication of a geolocation of a first user, as well as information about an availability of the first user. A second user is notified about the geolocation of the first user and the availability of the first user, which is used to generate a collaborative meeting event for the first user and the second user according to the geolocation of the first user, the availability of the first user, an availability of the second user, and a location of the second user. The second user is automatically notified about the collaborative meeting event, which may be automatically scheduled in a calendar application. As such, the collaboration tool unifies user geolocation and availability information in order to connect interested users with one another in a mutually beneficial way.

[0008]In one embodiment, there is a method for providing geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users. In this embodiment, the method comprises the computer-implemented steps of: receiving, from a social media application, a geolocation of a first user; receiving information about an availability of the first user; notifying a second user about the geolocation of the first user and the availability of the first user; receiving information about an availability of the second user; generating a collaborative meeting event for the first user and the second user according to the geolocation of the first user, the availability of the first user, the availability of the second user, and a location of the second user; and automatically notifying the second user about the collaborative meeting event.

[0009]In another embodiment, there is a system for providing geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users, the system comprising: at least one processing unit, and memory operably associated with the at least one processing unit; a collaboration tool storable in memory and executable by the at least one processing unit, the collaboration tool comprising: a location component configured to receive, from a social media application, a geolocation of a first user; a scheduling component configured to: receive information about an availability of the first user; and receive information about an availability of a second user; a notification component configured to: notify the second user about the geolocation of the first user and the availability of the first user; generate a collaborative meeting event for the first user and the second user according to the geolocation of the first user, the availability of the first user, the availability of the second user, and a location of the second user; and automatically notify the second user about the collaborative meeting event.

[0010]In yet another embodiment, there is a computer-readable storage device storing computer instructions, which when executed, enables a computer system to provide geolocation notifications to increase collaboration between users, the computer instructions comprising: receiving, from a social media application, an indication of a geolocation of a first user; receiving information about an availability of the first user; notifying a second user about the geolocation of the first user and the availability of the first user; receiving information about an availability of the second user; generating a collaborative meeting event for the first user and the second user according to the geolocation of the first user, the availability of the first user, the availability of the second user, and a location of the second user; and automatically notifying the second user about the collaborative meeting event.

Problems solved by technology

However, it can be difficult for collaborators to opportunistically plan meetings with other collaborators.

For salespersons, finding new clients and scheduling time with existing ones is difficult.

Often, scheduling conflicts or a lack of knowledge and communication about a client's schedule and / or location are barriers to engaging with those clients in a meaningful way.

Furthermore, the greater the number of potential meeting participants, the more difficult it can be to select and schedule mutually agreeable meeting times. Further difficulties and frustrations are encountered if one or more collaborators become unavailable, causing the meeting time to be rescheduled.

This can result in delays that impact efficiency and hamper forward progress of a collaborative project.

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